The Art of Teaching Chess

A few years ago, I was a intermediate chess player with a simple opening repertoire and mediocre rating. As I spent more time and dedicated myself to learning and understanding the game, I quickly reached the expert level. The work I put in was satisfactory, as I succeded in various local and state tournaments, and placed high in the standings in the North Carolina Open and K-12 North Carolina Championship. 

However, the recognition that I received was not satisfactory. I realized that I kept seeking more honors, which grew into an obsession. I was no longer focused on learning the game, instead trying to be successful in each tournament that I attened. As I result, I succumed to burnout, and the chess abilities that I had began to dissipate.

As I decided to take a break from tournaments, I focused on improving the chess club that I ran in my high school and playing agaisnt my peers. As this continued through 9th, 10th, 11th, and now 12th grade, I began to find joy in seeing my friends improve and my peers become stronger at the game. I decided to start teaching within the club, and I was delighted to see over 30 students come to learn chess during their lunch break, even when clubs such as DECA and HOSA offered more activities. While I had taught young students in my community when I was an intermediate player, the knowledge that I could share as an expert player greatly improved my ability to teach concepts to my peers. Being in a smaller high school, this meant a lot to me, and moved me to continue teaching chess as I depened my understanding of how to teach the game.

With the happiness that I gained from teaching in my high school, I discovered that Triangle Chess in the Research Triangle Area of North Carolina was offering teaching positions over the summer. As soon as I saw the message, I filled out the application immediately and desperately awaited for a response. Sure enough, I was accepted and began the following week.

Working at Triangle Chess was a challenge, as I worked with younger students, and ensuring they understood what I taught them was not a simple task. However, day by day, I learned how to engage with them and help them not only learn chess but also have an enjoyable experience. On the final day, a tournament was held for all the students, and I served as the arbiter to ensure everything ran smoothly. As I observed the games, I was stunned to see a student I had taught swiftly defeat every opponent she faced. Watching her play, I was filled with pride as I saw how she applied the knowledge she had learned in the days before. That experience taught me that teaching is a way to discover individuals, to understand how they learn and think, and to build relationships with them as a result.

As my competitive play returned, I continued to attend tournaments and work with my coach to achieve success, while also helping students in my school and community to support their chess growth. My efforts led to the establishment of the first elementary chess club, with over 90 students joining this year! The principal of my school was also proud of the club’s growth during one of his visits, which motivated me to continue working on the chess club throughout my 12th-grade year.

With the success I received from teaching, I decided to develop my own chess teaching program, Savant Studies, where I could teach chess online to students using Lichess.org and additional platforms to share my ideas with others. Additionally, I was selected for the Student Led Chess Association, a nonprofit focused on developing chess across the United States; in this role, I was assigned to the state team to promote chess in North Carolina.

All in all, I hope that by sharing my journey through chess and teaching, I can inspire you, no matter your skill level, to share an idea or two with your friends, family, or classmates. As you improve your knowledge, I hope you can help them succeed as well.